Merck Deal & J&J Trump Pricing: Pharma Industry News
Another work week winds down. We plan to catch up on reading, walk wiht the mascots, and host another listening party. Expect to hear this, this, this, this, and this on the playlist. What are your plans? A cozy book or a movie sounds good, or maybe supporting local restaurants. Perhaps even a little life planning. Whatever you do, have fun - and stay safe. See you soon.
Merck is negotiating to acquire cancer drug developer Revolution Medicines in a deal valued between $28 billion and $32 billion, according to Reuters.Other pharmaceutical companies also expressed interest, and a competing offer remains possible. Merck faces patent expirations for it’s leading cancer drug, Keytruda, later this decade. The company has considerably expanded its late-stage growth pipeline since 2021 through internal research and acquisitions. Acquiring Revolution would give Merck access to daraxonrasib, an experimental drug in late-stage trials and designated for fast-track review by the FDA. Daraxonrasib targets multiple mutations in the RAS genes, which drive several cancers, including pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers.
Eli Lilly announced that combining its weight loss drug Zepbound with its immunotherapy drug donanemab slowed the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in a late-stage trial, STAT News reports. The trial involved nearly 1,800 participants and showed a 35% slowing of cognitive decline. Researchers believe the weight loss achieved with Zepbound may contribute to the positive effect on brain health. Full results will be presented at a medical conference later this month.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas showcased a wave of new artificial intelligence integrations across various devices, The Verge reports. AI features appeared in everything from televisions and cars to kitchen appliances and robots. Many companies emphasized ”ambient intelligence,” aiming for AI that seamlessly integrates into daily life without requiring constant user interaction. Concerns about data privacy and the potential for bias in AI systems remain prominent.